Golden K, local kids working hard to fight tetanus disease

ROCHELLE—When it comes down to pitching in, every little bit helps and the Kiwanis of Rochelle’s effort to eradicate maternal and neonatal tetanus from the earth is no different.

This “Eliminate Project,” according to Golden K member, Dennis Swinton, will take approximately $110 million from the U.S. to wipe out the disease worldwide. This disease that they have been battling has infected people all over the world for a long time. In developed countries, such as the U.S., it is prevented by registering shots to school children at early ages. In poor countries, however, citizens cannot afford the inexpensive preventions or treatments and therefore 100,000 babies succumb to death on an annual basis.

As a result of hearing about these unnecessary deaths, both UNICEF and Kiwanis International took action and have so far raised enough funds to free 27 countries from the disease since 1999. Some of the countries include Liberia, Senegal, Tanzania, Burkina-Faso and more.